In vivo hybrid silicon-organic bioelectronic systems
- Reference number
- IS14-0033
- Start and end dates
- 150101-201231
- Amount granted
- 3 731 323 SEK
- Administrative organization
- Linköping University
- Research area
- Life Science Technology
Summary
Thin and flexible integrated organic-silicon bioelectronics will be developed to perform signal transduction across the biology-electronics gap. We aim at an integrated system combining dedicated physical and biochemical sensors with delivery of relevant drugs and biological signals. The system will be a flexible Si-chip comprising powering and sensors. Organic bioelectronics, for enzymatic sensing and electronic control of the delivery of different molecules, will be manufactured and integrated on the silicon chip. The in vivo integrated system will be developed taking into the account future integration with computation and communication interfaces. We aim to achieve an all-integrated autarkic in vivo bioelectronics platform for healthcare applications. The system will comprise: 1. Self-powering, ultimately to enable long-term implantation for therapeutic purposes. 2. Logic circuitry for the required decision making so that the system can be completely autonomous and require minimal control by the patient/practitioner. 3. Sensor components for specific detection of chemical/physiological signals of the state of health in the tissue or cell system. 4. Drug delivery components to provide an electrical-to-chemical interface with the biological system under treatment. Ultimately, we will achieve an integrated, self-powered and autonomous therapeutic technology for application in a range of neurological disorders. [see Rsrch Plan §2.1 for full summary]
Popular science description
Electronics have developed at a dizzying pace in recent decades. Indeed, in a single lifespan, humankind has seen personal electronics go from the realm of science fiction to commonplace. With concurrent developments in fundamental biology and neuroscience, these ubiquitous electronic tools have increasingly been applied in healthcare settings. Generally, this entails large equipment (heart rate monitors, thermometers, x-ray imaging). There are, of course, also newer electronic therapeutics worn on, or in, the body, e.g., pacemakers, deep brain stimulators, and cochlear implants. Recently, there has been growing interest – both from a research and market perspective – for personalized medicine and so-called “e-health”. This will involve significant miniaturization of the electronics, and entirely new capabilities of electronic implants for tomorrow’s therapeutics and monitoring devices. Both conventional Si-based electronics, and organic “plastic” electronics have significant advantages when applied in these biological and therapeutic applications. Si-based systems are far superior in speed and processing power. Meanwhile, organic electronics possess a unique ability to translate electronic and molecular signals, for example between a Si-based circuit and a nerve fiber. With this Swedish-Korean collaborative project, we will bring together two of the world’s leading research teams in the fields of flexible, biocompatible Si-based electronics, and implantable organic bioelectronics, to create new hybrid technologies combining the “best of both worlds”. We will develop fully-integrated, self-powered therapeutics that bring biological regulation and stimulation far beyond the state of the art. In its fully integrated version, our organic-silicon system will enable auto-regulation and remote communication for a wide range of healthcare purposes. The resulting technology will provide tuning of personalized medication, highly specific therapy, and also radically novel opportunities in e-healthcare and beyond.